Ika Mirror

House of Representatives, National Assembly
Office of the House Spokesman

PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release

House of Representatives Mourns Passing of Sir Chamberlain Nnamdi Dunkwu, PhD., KSC

Abuja, FCT | Saturday, March 7, 2026 - The House of Representatives has received with profound sadness the news of the passing of Sir Chamberlain Nnamdi Dunkwu, PhD, KSC, Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative) to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Sir Dunkwu passed away in the early hours of Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the age of 54. He would have marked his 55th birthday on March 21, 2026.

Until his passing, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative) to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, having been appointed on June 26, 2023. In that capacity, he played a key role in supporting legislative coordination and strengthening parliamentary administration within the National Assembly.

Sir Dunkwu previously served as Special Adviser on Members’ Affairs to the Speaker of the 9th Assembly and later as Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. Across these roles, he earned a reputation as a loyal and diligent parliamentary aide who contributed significantly to the effectiveness of legislative leadership.

Beyond the legislature, he was widely respected in Nigeria’s sporting community, serving as President of the Nigerian Aquatics Federation (NAqF), where he supported the development of aquatic sports in the country. He was also known for his humility, dedication to public service, and commitment to national development. He was also a Knight of Saint Christopher (KSC) of the Anglican Communion, Asaba Diocese.

Reacting to the loss, Speaker Abbas expressed deep shock and sorrow over the passing of his close aide.

“Dr. Chamberlain was not just my Deputy Chief of Staff, he was a dependable and committed ally who served diligently until his last breath. Chamberlain was full of life just a few hours before his passing when he joined me and my colleagues at the breaking of fast on Friday evening,” the Speaker said.

“This is indeed a moment of grief for me, my colleagues, his family, and the staff in my office as we mourn the death of this wonderful human being. This is one death too many! But we take solace in the fact that he lived a life of service to humanity and his country.

“He leaves behind a legacy of selflessness, dedication, sacrifice, and responsibility. We will miss him dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this trying moment. I pray to the Almighty God to accept his soul,” Speaker Abbas added.

The Speaker also visited the family of the deceased to commiserate with his widow and children, urging them to remain strong in the face of the painful loss.

The House of Representatives mourns the loss of a committed public servant whose contributions strengthened legislative administration and parliamentary governance in Nigeria.

The House extends its deepest condolences to his family, the government and people of Delta State, the Nigerian Aquatics Federation, and the broader legislative and sporting communities.

May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Signed:

Rep. Akin Rotimi, mnipr
Spokesman, House of Representatives

Poland rejects use of Nigerian NECO Certificate for Bachelor’s admission

--Raising concerns among prospective students

Ika Mirror

A Nigerian student seeking to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Poland has raised concerns after receiving an official communication, stating that the National Examinations Council (NECO) certificate is not accepted for undergraduate admissions in the country. The student, who submitted his academic documents to the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) for mandatory verification, was informed that his NECO qualification does not meet Poland’s requirements for tertiary studies.

According to the appeal decision issued to her, NAWA concluded that the NECO certificate could not be recognized as an equivalent qualification for entry into Polish higher institutions. This outcome effectively prevents the applicant from enrolling in her chosen Bachelor’s program, despite meeting all additional institutional requirements.

The decision has sparked concern among Nigerian applicants who rely on the NECO qualification, which is widely used domestically for university admissions. While WAEC certificates are recognized by many European and international institutions, NECO has faced inconsistent acceptance across foreign education systems, leading to uncertainty for students who seek opportunities abroad.
Education analysts say that the rejection highlights a broader issue regarding the global recognition of Nigerian secondary school certificates. Stakeholders argue that Nigerian authorities may need to engage diplomatically with international education bodies to ensure Nigerian qualifications are better understood and appropriately evaluated.

The affected applicant described the experience as disheartening, noting that he had fully complied with Poland’s verification procedures before receiving the decision. He emphasized that the outcome should be publicly discussed so that other Nigerian students can be better informed when planning academic pursuits abroad.

Analysts also warned that the development could strain academic relations between both countries if left unaddressed.

Many have urged the Nigerian government to urgently initiate dialogue with the Polish government and relevant education authorities to clarify the status of NECO, resolve the disagreement, and prevent the matter from escalating into a broader diplomatic or educational dispute.

They argued that failure to act swiftly could result in more Nigerian students facing similar setbacks, potentially discouraging international academic cooperation. As the number of Nigerian students aspiring to study in Europe continues to rise, the Polish government’s stance on NECO may influence future application trends.

The development may further prompt Nigerian families, education consultants, and policymakers to push for strengthened international recognition of the nation’s secondary education frameworks.

For now, prospective students hoping to study in Poland are being advised to confirm the acceptability of their certificates early in the application process—particularly those relying on NECO, so they can avoid last-minute setbacks.

This is May Ellen Ezekial Mofe-Damijo, also known as MEE.

Mee was a wealthy female owner and publisher of Classique magazine, a celebrity and entertainment journal that is today moribund.

Seated to the extreme right of this photo is her husband and celebrity actor Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD).

MEE was so wealthy that even Dele Momodu was her staff at one point.

The MEE and RMD love story is an interesting one.

RMD came to her office in Ikeja to look for a job; he was new in Lagos from Warri and was desperate for any opportunity to earn a living.

RMD came to look for a job, but she saw more than just a job; she saw a fine dude that has a bright prospect, and it was love at first sight for her.

She asked for a date after the interview, and the rest is history.

Legend has it that she was the one who toasted and proposed to RMD, and he said yes.

She was more or less RMD’s destiny helper as she picked him from the gutter and poverty, then polished him to the RMD, the global fine international acclaimed actor that we know today.

I dare say that without MEE, there would not be any RMD today.

When I speak about marrying well, this is a shining example.

I can’t get tired of saying this: marry well, my brother and sister, because who you marry, whether as a man or woman, has the potential to change your life and will determine how far and the final outcome of your life.

MEE hosted a television talk show, Mee and You, on NTA 2 channel 5, Lagos. She also produced the TV show.

Mee sharpened her journalism skills while she was working for the Sunday Concord under the tutelage of Dele Giwa, who was a destiny helper and a mentor to her and who incidentally died at the same age of 39 this time via letter bomb at his Adeniyi Jones home.

This photo of 1992 was taken during the Dele Momodus wedding in Ogun State, and Dele Momodu was her staff at this point in his life.

She was born in Ghana in 1956 and died in 1996 at the age of 39 due to complications from fibroid, and she left behind a child known as Onome, who has grown and is a big girl today.

Story credit: TV Authority.

RIP Dr Cairo Ojougboh. Outspoken and fearless to the very end.